Carr was asked by CNBC about comments from the sole Democrat remaining on the FCC commission, Anna Gomez, who called the merger approval a “cowardly capitulation to this Administration.” Carr was asked if there was a quid pro quo, something he didn’t directly address.

The Federal Communications Commission has cleared the way for Paramount Global to complete its merger with Skydance Media, announcing Thursday that it has approved the deal. The decision removes a final hurdle for the media and entertainment companies to close their transaction. Paramount is the parent company of CBS.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media, claiming “significant changes,” are coming to the CBS owner.

By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump and the Federal Communications Commission have vowed to force American broadcast media outlets to make significant changes. CBS may be just the beginning.

The FCC approved the transfer of CBS licenses to Skydance's ownership group, paving the way to the merger of Skydance and Paramount.

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media

Brendan Carr says they have not made a ‘final’ decision on the news distortion matter. Federal Communication Commission Commissioner Brendan Carr testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

As part of its agreement to allow an $8 billion merger between media conglomerates Skydance and Paramount, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has assigned a government monitor to CBS (which is owned by Paramount) to rein in perceived "bias" against President Donald Trump and his administration.